Which wood stove should I buy?

[cforput]

OK, so I have searched around on this site and didn't find what I was looking for AND I don't want to open a can of worms but.............

We are going to build a 1975 sq ft single story ranch home. I want to put in a wood (not pellet) stove as the primary heat source. I have heard of some wood stoves or wood burning fireplaces that you can connect into your HVAC. We have a great wood stove right now with a blower but you need to use electricity to run the fan. I have heard of wood stoves that don't need electricity to run the fan.

What would you all suggest?

Thanks

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Hooking up to duct work is more of a wood furnace thing unless you fabricate a bonnet for the stove so it works into the ductwork. I've heard of fans that do not use electricity, but not a blower. The fans are generally considered neat, but they don't move much air.

When the power goes out, you can always work off regular old convection and radiant heat.

The only answer to which stove you should buy that won't open a can of worms is "The one your wife likes."


Matt

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Since ranch style homes are generally long you may want to consider 2 smaller stoves instead of one large one.

Matt

 

[Todd]

There are some EPA fireplaces that can hook up to duct work, Regency, Quadra Fire and Fireplace Extraordinaire are a few, but they need electricity to really circulate the warm air. Also consider placing a wood stove centrally in a open floor plan can heat the whole house as well.

 

[cforput]

Todd,
thanks for the info. I will look into the brands you mentioned. I'm not opposed to using electricity if I can get hooked into the HVAC. I just don't want an external blower. Our floor plan is not very open but we won't be living in a cold climate like you up in NW WI so I think a good wood stove will work out fine. Now that I have some manufacturers, I can begin my research.

Stay warm!

 

[colsmith]

We live in SE WI, have a two story home that is about 2000 sq. ft. We use our centrally located wood stove to heat the whole house. There is one room in the back that doesn't get really warm, but in general it heats the house well. We have no blower, just rely on radiation and heat rising and air currents and so on. Works really well. Is there are reason you are set on a single story home? Heat rising and all that, two levels makes it easier to heat the whole house with a wood stove. Of course if you are in Seattle then I suppose it doesn't matter so much. Anyway, lots of people don't use blowers, heated air does circulate on its own. We do not have an especially open floor plan but we did place our stove very carefully right in the middle of the house.

 

[cforput]

Some really good comments from everyone. We live in the Pacific Northwest right now but are looking to move back to California where the weather is even milder.

We have a 2 story now but don't want the stairs so going back to a 1 story. It is actually the floor plan of my in-laws house when I first met my wife. I have always really liked it so thought I would replicate when we build.

I am definitely leaning toward the wood stove and not an insert.

Thanks everyone for the help!